KY 70

From Kentucky Transporation Cabinet Department of Highways District 3 (Sept. 14, 2012):

District 3 Traffic Impact Report

 KYTC District 3:  Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Todd and Warren Counties

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A stretch of KY 70 in Muhlenberg County has been renamed in honor of Tom Christerson. Christernson lived with an artificial heart for 17 months, longer than any other artificial heart patient. Christernson died February 7, 2003.

More information: Associated Press: Artificial heart pioneer to get memorial highway (Sept. 13, 2004) 

Somerset’s Commonwealth Journal reports that work to realign KY 70 near Eubank has become visible to passing motorists. The realignment project involves the construction of an overpass over the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The new overpass will eliminate a narrow tunnel under the railroad from KY 70’s path. The project is around 25 percent complete and scheduled for completion in spring 2005: Somerset Commonwealth Journal: Realigned KY 70 route becoming clearly visible (July 8, 2004) 

Work to widen US 27 north of Somerset will address safety problems at the intersection of KY 70 and US 27 in Eubank: WYMT Mountain News: Road Intersection Needs Improvements (June 16, 2004) 

The US 27 widening project will include an interchange at the future I-66.

The 60-day regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended on April 13. Thirteen bills relating to transportation were passed into law during the 2004 regular session. Click “read full text” below for summaries of each bill.

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As part of a continuing project to recognize the birthplaces of Kentucky’s musicians signs have recently been erected honoring Ray Goins  and Curley Ray Cline . (Update (Apr. 24): WKYT: Bluegrass Fiddler Honored (Apr. 23, 2004) )

A ceremony has held recently to dedicate the Helen Brown Bridge . Helen Brown was influential in having the Pikeville area bridge built.

The Bowling Green Daily News reports on road projects planned for Warren and surrounding counties: Bowling Green Daily News: Transportation budget on track (April 5, 2004) 

Environmental groups oppose the Louisville Bridges Project, I-66, and other expedited projects: Courier-Journal: Environmental groups critical of bridges project (Apr. 9, 2004) 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reminds motorists to brake for construction workers .

Kentucky’s State Highway Engineer, James M. “Mac” Yowell, has been inducted to the University of Kentucky’s Engineering Hall of Distinction.

A project to realign a section KY 70 near the Pulaski County town of Eubank is moving ahead. The contract for the project was recently awarded to a Springfield-based company. The project will construct a new overpass over the Norfolk & Southern Railroad and will replace an outdated tunnel under the tracks. The one lane tunnel is too small to accommodate fire trucks and other large vehicles.

Reference: Mardis, Bill. “Eubank Tunnel” (Somerset, Ky.) Commonwealth Journal  8 Mar 2004.

Despite state budget problems, three road projects are still on track for construction this year. Paving and guardrail installation will be completed on about five miles of the US 231 reconstruction project in eastern Allen County, reconstruction of KY 101 between Chalybeate and US 31W will begin, and a bridge over Little Reedy Creek on KY 70 in Butler County will be replaced.

Kentucky receives about $500 million in federal funds for road projects each year; however, the state must provide matching funds for 20% of construction costs. These funds have been drained in recent years.

More information: Bowling Green Daily News: Work on three roads beginning; others in limbo (Jan. 18, 2004) 

The state's budget problems will prevent the transportation cabinet from completing projects on schedules. In some cases, projects which are already underway may be halted.

Projects cited are the reconstruction of the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265)/KY 22 interchange, widening of KY 70 in Hopkins County, and a bridge replacement project in Knott County.

More information: Associated Press: Transportation projects will be delayed because of budget woes (Jun. 16, 2003)